Address by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Summit of the Heads of State of OTS
Dear heads of delegations!
At the outset, let me express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, His Excellency Sadyr Japarov, for the excellent organization of our Summit in the beautiful city of Bishkek and the traditional hospitality.
In recent years, we have all witnessed the rapid reforms and fundamental changes that have taken place in Kyrgyzstan in all areas. This magnificent complex hosting our event today is clear proof of our words.
As a close fraternal country, we are profoundly pleased to see political and social stability in the country, the construction of modern industrial and infrastructural facilities, and the increasing international prestige and profile of the country.
I wish the Kyrgyz side successful chairmanship of our organization, which has defined partnership in the areas of economic integration, overall development, digital future, and security as its main objectives.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokaev for the effective chairmanship of our Organization under the motto “Turk Time!”
Dear colleagues!
Unfortunately, following our meetings in Astana and Shusha, the global geopolitical processes have become even more complicated.
Rivalry and mistrust among major powers are intensifying, conflicts and wars are increasing, and various threats and challenges are on the rise.
Certainly, our countries are feeling the negative effects and consequences of these developments in every way. It would be true to say that these problems have turned into a serious obstacle to our joint plans and major projects in trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, and other areas.
It is expedient to systemically continue dialogues on political and security issues within the framework of our Organization, and to actively promote our united and clear position on international issues based on our common interests.
It is, first and foremost, about the ongoing unfair war in the Middle East and double standards that we can witness.
Nothing can justify the unprecedented humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and Lebanon, the devastating attacks against civilians, especially the death of innocent children, the elderly, and women. We strongly condemn the actions aimed at restricting the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
The only solution to this long-standing conflict is the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, in accordance with international regulations and resolutions.
We hope that a clear political solution to this problem will be found at the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh next week.
When it comes to security, we believe Afghanistan should always be the focus of our Organization. In this regard, it is important to establish a regular dialogue mechanism at the ministerial and expert levels.
We believe that the issues of providing support to de-facto authorities in addressing acute problems in Afghanistan, integrating this country into regional economic processes, and implementing social and infrastructure projects should definitely be considered.
Dear heads of state and governments!
Today’s adoption of the historic document of our Organization – the Turkic World Charter – is a vivid expression of the growing multilateral cooperation among our fraternal countries and peoples.
I am confident that on this basis, we will be able to further consolidate the Turkic World, enhance its profile, deepen our mutually beneficial and friendly relations and take our cooperation to a new level.
Based on the agenda of our Summit, I would like to draw your attention to a number of priorities.
First. Building on the current high level of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our countries, we advocate for expanding and strengthening the legal framework of our Organization.
We propose to adopt the Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship and Fraternity of the Turkic States.
I believe that the development of this comprehensive document will elevate the activities of our Organization to a higher political level.
Second. We are determined to create an area of new economic opportunities within our Organization.
The analysis shows that the share of our mutual trade in our countries’ foreign trade remains at a very low level. A significant part of our imports comes from third countries. It is high time for a drastic change in this respect.
Primarily, we need to develop specific treaties and agreements on the elimination of customs and non-tariff barriers, facilitation of trade and customs procedures, development of e-commerce platforms.
It would be extremely relevant to hold a conference of our leading national think tanks in Tashkent in the near future, to conduct in-depth studies aimed at expanding our trade potential.
We need to adopt next year’s plans for economic forums, trade and industrial exhibitions, mutual visits to our regions and provinces, participation in state procurement, a joint program of cooperation and localization.
We will certainly see quick results if we assign these priority tasks to the deputy prime ministers of our countries.
Third. In today’s difficult global economic environment, the most urgent problem is to ensure the continuity of investment flows.
The demand for capital and its price on the global financial market is increasing. Developing countries are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain long-term and green loans.
We should pay serious attention to the introduction of financial instruments within our Organization.
We believe it is necessary to consider intensifying the activities of the Turkic Investment Fund and establishing the Turkic Development Bank, which was uninitiated from our side.
The wide engagement of international financial institutions and foreign investment companies in projects of regional importance is also important.
In this regard, we propose to organize a Turkic Investment Forum. We are ready to host its first meeting in Uzbekistan.
Fourth. Efficient use of transport corridors is a priority.
Optimization of transit tariffs along the Middle Corridor, simplification of border crossing, creation of modern logistics systems, and setting up joint operators fully meet our common interests.
We invite you to sign a multilateral Agreement on electronic document workflow and their mutual recognition in transport within our Organization.
In order to discuss these topical issues in detail with the participation of business representatives, we propose to hold an International Logistics Conference in cooperation with the Alliance of Logistics Centers and Freight Carriers of Turkic states.
Fifth. We propose to develop a Digital Turkic World concept aimed at the broad implementation of the economy of the future.
The concept will promote the exchange of best practices and achievements in IT accumulated in our countries, the development of innovative, infrastructural, and scientific digital systems, and the establishment of large data centers.
Sixth. Once again, I sincerely congratulate the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, and wish him every success as Baku is to host the COP-29 global summit next week.
With a view of finding solutions to the acute environmental problems related to climate change, we express our readiness to an earliest establishment of the Turkic Ecological Council at the ministerial level and to host its first meeting in Uzbekistan next year.
Dear heads of delegations!
To bring our fraternal peoples even closer, and to educate our youth in a spirit worthy of our ancestors, it would be truly expedient to publish a multi-volume Collection of Folklore of the Turkic peoples in the languages of our member countries.
In this regard, it is our urgent task to co-create fundamental research such as “The History of Turkic Countries”.
At the same time, I believe we need to encourage direct translation from Turkic languages and introduce optional lessons on Turkic peoples, their history, ethnography, culture, and arts in our schools.
I also express Uzbekistan’s readiness to become a full member of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.
Dear friends!
I warmly congratulate His Excellency Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary on being awarded the Supreme Order of the Turkic World.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize one point.
Our practical cooperation within the framework of the Organization creates extensive opportunities for strengthening our position in a rapidly changing world, to prevent various threats and challenges, and to deepen our relations.
I am confident that the outcomes of today’s summit will make a significant contribution to our ambitious plans for the advancement of the Turkic civilization.
